Film cassette with lock-out means for preventing load of exposed film

ABSTRACT

A film cassette comprises a film spool supported inside a lighttight shell for rotation to thrust a filmstrip coiled about the spool automatically to the exterior of the shell, and a film exposure status indicator supported for rotation relative to the shell from an unexposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is unexposed to an exposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is exposed. The status indicator includes a lock-out means arranged for engagement by a blocking member in a camera to prevent insertion of the cassette into the camera, when the status indicator is in the exposed position, and a cut-out located with respect to the lock-out means for receiving the blocking member to allow insertion of the film cassette into the camera, when the status indicator is in the unexposed position. The shell includes cam means aligned with the cut-out for moving the blocking member out of the way of the cassette, when the status indicator is the unexposed position, and covered by the lock-out means to be prevented from moving the blocking member out of the way of the cassette, when the status indicator is in the exposed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to commonly assigned copending applications Ser. No.07/520,309, entitled FILM CASSETTE WITH FILM EXPOSURE STATUS INDICATORand filed May 7, 1990 in the names of Stephen H. Miller and Daniel M.Pagano; Ser. No. 07/520,568, entitled CAMERA APPARATUS FOR USE WITH FILMCASSETTE HAVING FILM EXPOSURE STATUS INDICATOR, and filed May 7, 1990 inthe names of Stephen H. Miller and Daniel M. Pagano; Ser. No.07/529,287, entitled FILM CASSETTE WITH EXPOSURE STATUS INDICATOR, andfiled May 29, 1990 in the names of Dennis E. Baxter and Jeffrey R.Stoneham; Ser. No. 07/537,837 entitled FILM CASSETTE WITH FILM EXPOSURESTATUS INDICATOR, and filed June 13, 1990 in the names of Stephen H.Miller and Daniel M. Pagano; Ser. No. 07/560,769, entitled FILM CASSETTEWITH LOCK-OUT MEANS FOR PREVENTING LOAD OF EXPOSED FILM and filed July31, 1990 in the names of Stephen H. Miller et al; Ser. No. 07/560,922,entitled FILM CASSETTE WITH LOCKING MEANS FOR EXPOSURE STATUS INDICATOR,and filed July 31, 1990 in the names of Stephen H. Miller et al; andSer. No. 07/597,905, entitled CAMERA APPARATUS FOR USE WITH FILMCASSETTE HAVING LOCKING MEANS FOR EXPOSURE STATUS INDICATOR, and filedOct. 11, 1990 in the names of Robert P. Cloutier, Daniel M. Pagano, andPatricia A. Dwyer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of photography, and inparticular to a film cassette capable of automatically advancing anon-protruding film leader to the exterior of the cassette shellresponsive to unwinding rotation of a film spool inside the shell. Morespecifically, the invention relates to a film cassette having a statusindicator for informing the photographer that a filmstrip wound onto thefilm spool is unexposed, only partly exposed, or substantially exposedand locking means for securing the indicator in respectiveexposure-status positions.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In conventional 35 mm film manufacturers' cassettes, such asmanufactured by Eastman Kodak Co. and Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd., thefilmstrip is wound on a flanged spool which is rotatably supportedwithin a cylindrical shell. A leading or forwardmost portion of thefilmstrip approximately 2 1/3 inches long, commonly referred to as a"film leader", normally protrudes from a light-trapped slit or mouth ofthe cassette shell. One end of the spool has a short axial extensionwhich projects from the shell, enabling the spool to be turned by hand.If the spool is initially rotated in an unwinding direction, the filmroll inside the shell will tend to expand radially since the inner endof the filmstrip is attached to the spool, and the fogged leader portionprotruding from the slit will remain stationary. The film roll canexpand radially until a non-slipping relation is established between itsoutermost convolution and the inner curved wall of the shell. Once thisnon-slipping relation exists, there is a binding effect between the filmroll and the shell which prevents further rotation of the spool in theunwinding direction. Thus, rotation of the spool in the unwindingdirection cannot serve to advance the filmstrip out of the shell, and itis necessary in the typical 35 mm camera to engage the protruding leaderportion to draw the filmstrip out of the shell.

A 35 mm film cassette has been proposed which, unlike conventional filmcassettes, can be operated to automatically advance a film leader out ofthe cassette shell by rotating the film spool in the unwindingdirection. The film leader is normally non-protruding, i.e. it islocated entirely within the cassette shell. Specifically, in U.S. Pat.No. 4,423,943, granted Jan. 3, 1984, there is disclosed a film cassettewherein the outermost convolution of the film roll wound on the filmspool is radially constrained by respective circumferential lips of twoaxially spaced flanges of the spool to prevent the outermost convolutionfrom contacting an inner curved wall of the cassette shell. The trailingend of the filmstrip is secured to the film spool, and the forward orleading end of the filmstrip is slightly tapered purportedly to allow itto freely extend from between the circumferential lips and rest againstthe shell wall. During initial unwinding rotation of the film spool, theleading end of the filmstrip is advanced to and through a non-lighttightfilm passageway in order to exit the cassette shell. As a result, allthat is needed to advance the filmstrip out of the cassette shell is torotate the film spool in the unwinding direction. However, according toU.S. Pat. No. 4,423,943, the film cassette is intended to be loaded in acamera only after the non-protruding leader is advanced out of thecassette shell. In the patent, it is suggested that one manually rotatethe film spool relative to the cassette shell until the film leader canbe manually grasped and attached to a film advancing device in thecamera. Thus, the camera is not used to rotate the film spool to advancethe film leader from the cassette shell.

More recently, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,306, granted May 30, 1989, U.S.Pat. No. 4,846,418, granted July 11, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,693,granted July 18, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,638, granted Oct. 24, 1989,U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,110, granted Dec. 12, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,673,granted Jan. 16, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,948, granted Feb. 13, 1990,and U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,197, granted Aug. 7, 1990, there are disclosedother film cassettes wherein a non-protruding leader is advancedautomatically out of the cassette shell responsive to rotation of thefilm spool in an unwinding direction. In those patents, as compared toU.S. Pat. No. 4,423,943, however, there is no suggestion to manuallyrotate the film spool to expel the film leader.

In conventional 35 mm film manufacturers' cassettes, after the filmstripis completely exposed, the film spool is rotated in a winding directionto rewind the film leader into the cassette shell. Since the film leadercannot subsequently be advanced out of the cassette shell because of thebinding effect that will occur between the film roll and the shell whenthe film spool is rotated in the unwinding direction, this usuallyserves as an indication that the filmstrip is completely or partlyexposed. Conversely, in the film cassettes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,423,943, 4,834,306, 4,846,418, 4,848,693, 4,875,638, 4,887,110,4,894,673, 4,899,948, and 4,947,197, the film leader can beautomatically advanced out of the cassette shell by rotating the filmspool in the unwinding direction. This can be done regardless of whetherthe filmstrip is unexposed, completely exposed, or only partly exposed.Some of the film cassettes disclosed in these patents provide noindication as to the exposure status of the filmstrip, others providesome indication of the exposure status.

THE CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

The cross-referenced applications each disclose a film cassette capableof advancing a filmstrip automatically out of a light-tight cassetteshell whether the filmstrip is unexposed, only partly exposed, orsubstantially exposed. The film cassette is characterized in that a filmexposure status indicator can be disposed in any one of three uniqueexposure-related positions comprising an unexposed position forproviding a visible indication that the filmstrip is unexposed, a partlyexposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstripis only partly exposed, and a fully exposed position for providing avisible indication that the filmstrip is substantially exposed.Arresting means is provided for releasably securing the status indicatorin its respective positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a film cassette comprising a film spoolsupported inside a lighttight shell for rotation to thrust a filmstripcoiled about the spool automatically to the exterior of the shell, and afilm exposure status indicator supported for rotation relative to theshell from an unexposed position for providing a visible indication thatthe filmstrip is unexposed to an exposed position for providing avisible indication that the filmstrip is exposed, is characterized inthat:

said status indicator includes lock-out means arranged for engagement bya blocking member in a camera to prevent insertion of the cassette intothe camera, when the status indicator is in the exposed position, and acut-out located with respect to the lock-out means for receiving theblocking member to allow insertion of the film cassette into the camera,when the status indicator is in the unexposed position; and

said shell includes cam means aligned with the cut-out for moving theblocking member out of the way of the cassette, when the statusindicator is in the unexposed position, and covered by the lock-outmeans to be prevented from moving the blocking member out of the way ofthe cassette, when the status indicator is in the exposed position.

More specifically, the shell includes window-like means located adjacentthe cam means for revealing the lock-out means to cover the cam means,when the status indicator is in the exposed position, and for revealingthe cut-out means to uncover the cam means, when the status indicator isin the unexposed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a film cassette according to apreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the film cassette, illustrating thecassette shell open to reveal a film roll coiled about a film spool;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view similar to FIG. 2, through partly insection;

FIG. 4 is an end view partly in section of the cassette shell, the filmroll and the film spool, illustrating the manner in which the film rollis originally stored on the film spool;

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are end views similar to FIG. 4, illustrating themanner in which the film roll is unwound from the film spool;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are elevation views of the film roll and the film spool,illustrating the manner in which the film roll is originally stored onthe film spool;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are elevation views similar to FIGS. 8 and 9,illustrating the manner in which the film roll is unwound from the filmspool;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the film spool without thefilm roll;

FIG. 13 is an elevation view partly in section of the film roll and thefilm spool, illustrating the manner in which one of a pair of filmconfining flanges of the spool may be fixed to the spool for concurrentrotation with the spool;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the film cassette, illustrating a filmexposure status indicator in an unexposed position;

FIG. 14A is a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 14;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are end views similar to FIG. 14, illustrating thestatus indicator moved to partly exposed and fully exposed positions,respectively;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the film cassette and camera apparatusincluding respective sensing/blocking members that cooperate with thestatus indicator to prevent loading of the cassette into a loadingchamber when the status indicator is in its partly exposed and fullyexposed positions or only in its fully exposed position;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are schematic views partly in section illustratinginteraction of the sensing/blocking members and the status indicatorwhen the status indicator is in its unexposed position; and

FIG. 20 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 19 illustrating interactionof the sensing/blocking members and the status indicator when the statusindicator is in its fully exposed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention is disclosed as being embodied preferably in a 35 mm filmcassette. Because the features of this type of film cassette aregenerally well known, the description which follows is directed inparticular to elements forming part of or cooperating directly with thedisclosed embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that otherelements not specifically shown or described may take various formsknown to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

The Film Cassette - General

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 12 depict an improved 35mm film cassette 1 comprising a light-tight cassette shell 3 and a filmspool 5 which is rotatable about an axis X in film unwinding and windingdirections U and W within the cassette shell. The cassette shell 3consists of two shell halves 7 and 9 which are mated along respectivegrooved and stepped edge portions 11 and 13. The mated halves 7 and 9define upper and lower aligned circular openings 15 and 17 for arelatively shorter end piece 19 and a longer opposite open-end piece 21of a spool core or hub 23, and they define a narrow relatively-straightfilm passageway 25 to the exterior of the cassette shell 3. The shorterend piece 19 and the longer open-end pieces 21 of the spool core 23 eachinclude an annular peripheral groove 27 which mates with a correspondingedge portion 29 of the respective openings 15 and 17 in the cassetteshell 3 to rotatably support the film spool 5 for rotation about theaxis X in the film unwinding and winding directions U and W. A knownblack velvet or plush material 31 lines the interior of the filmpassageway 25 to prevent ambient light from entering the filmpassageway.

A roll 33 of 35 mm filmstrip F is coiled about the spool core 23 to formsuccessive film convolutions. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the film roll33 includes an outermost convolution which comprises a film leader 35having a leading or forward end 37, and it includes a next-inwardconvolution 39 coiled behind the outermost convolution. The inner ortrailing end of an innermost convolution 40 of the film roll 33 issecured to the spool core 23 using known attachment means, not shown.See FIG. 13.

A pair of upper and lower identical, very thin, flexible filmconstraining flanges 41 and 43 are coaxially spaced along the spool core23 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, 12 and 13. The two flanges 41 and 43comprise respective integral disks 45 and 47 and respective integralannular lips or skirts 49 and 51 which circumferentially extend from thedisks. The two disks 45 and 47 cover opposite substantially flat sidesof the film roll 33 which are defined by corresponding oppositelongitudinal edges 53 and 55 of each successive convolution of the filmroll, and they have respective central holes 56 through which the spoolcore 23 coaxially extends to permit rotation of the spool core relativeto the flanges 41 and 43. See FIGS. 12 and 13. Respectivecircumferential gaps 57 are provided in the spool core 23 for supportingthe flanges 41 and 43 at their disks 45 and 47 to permit the flanges tobe independently rotated about the axis X. The two gaps 57 aresufficiently spaced from one another along the spool core 23 to maintainrespective inner faces 45' and 47' of the disks 45 and 47 slightlyspaced from the longitudinal edges 53 and 55 of each successiveconvolution of the film roll 33. See FIG. 13. The annular lips 49 and 51overlap the film leader (outermost convolution) 35 of the film roll 33radially outwardly of the longitudinal edges 53 and 55 of the leader toradially confine the leader to thus prevent it from radially expandingor clock-springing into substantial contact with an interior curved wall58 of the cassette shell 3. A lip-receiving notch 59 is cut in the filmleader (outermost convolution) 35 along its longitudinal edge 55,relatively close to its leading end 37, to receive a peripheral section51' of the annular lip 51. This allows a relatively short edge-section61 of the film leader (outermost convolution) 35 connecting the leadingend 37 and the notch 59 to overlap the annular lip 51 radially outwardlyto thus maintain the leading end spaced a radial distance D from thenext-inward convolution 39 of the film roll 33. See FIGS. 4 and 9. Theleading end 37 has a forward edge 63 inclined from the longitudinal edge53 of the film leader (outermost convolution) 35 to the otherlongitudinal edge 55 of the leader to form a forward-most tip or tab 65of the leader which, like the edge-section 61, overlaps the annular lip51 radially outwardly. See FIGS. 1, 2, 8 and 9.

The two flanges 41 and 43 have a plurality of concentric arcuate slots66 cut in their respective disks 45 and 47 to longitudinally extend inthe film unwinding and film winding directions U and W. Engagement meansin the form of respective hook-like members 67, located on the shorterand longer open-end pieces 19 and 21 of the spool core 23, are normallylocated in the concentric slots 66 for movement along the slots intoengagement with the flanges 41 and 43 responsive to rotation of thespool core relative to the flanges in the unwinding direction U and formovement along the slots out of engagement with the flanges responsiveto rotation of the spool core relative to the flanges in the windingdirection W. See FIGS. 12 and 13. Preferably, each of the hook-likemembers 67 has an end face 67' that is beveled to ease the hook-likemember out of one of the concentric slots 66 responsive to rotation ofthe spool core 23 relative to the flanges 41 and 43 in the windingdirection W, in the possible event the spool core is rotated relative tothe flanges far enough in the winding direction to back the hook-likemember out of the slot.

A film stripper-guide 68 projecting from the interior wall 58 of thecassette half 7 is positioned immediately inward of the inner entranceto the film passageway 25 to be received between the leading end 37 ofthe film leader (outermost convolution) 35 and the next-inwardconvolution 39, close to the forward-most tip 65 of the leader, to pickup the leading end and guide it into the film passageway responsive torotation of the spool core 23 in the unwinding direction U. See FIGS. 1and 4-7. The leading end 37 will be advanced over the stripper-guide 68and into the film passageway 25, rather than between the stripper-guideand the next-inward convolution 39, because it is spaced the radialdistance D from the latter convolution. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, theleading end 37 will be located within range of the stripper-guide 68 dueto such spacing D from the next-inward convolution 39.

When the leading end 37 of the film leader (outermost convolution) 35 isadvanced over the stripper-guide 68 responsive to rotation of the spoolcore 23 in the unwinding direction U, the longitudinal edges 53 and 55of the leader start to gently flex respective arcuate portions of thetwo flanges 41 and 43 away from one another, i.e. farther apart, firstto allow the notch 59 to separate from the lip section 51', and then toallow successive longitudinal sections of the leader to uncoil frombetween the flanges and exit to the outside of the cassette shell 3. SeeFIGS. 10 and 11. The flexing of the flanges 41 and 43 occurs because thefilm width W_(F) between the longitudinal film edges 53 and 55 isslightly greater than the axial spacing A_(S) between the annular lips49 and 51. Moreover, successive convolutions of the film roll 33 have aresistance to transverse bowing that is greater than the resistance ofthe flanges 41 and 43 to be flexed. Two pairs of flat curved bearingmembers 69 project from the interior walls 58 of the respective shellhalves 7 and 9 to lie flatly against successive arcuate portions of thetwo disks 45 and 47 as the flanges 41 and 43 are flexed away from oneanother, to only allow those flange portions separated from the bearingmembers to be flexed farther apart. See FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The bearingmembers 69 are positioned relatively remote from the film passageway 25.Thus, the leader 35 is only allowed to uncoil from between the flanges41 and 43 relatively close to the passageway 25. See FIG. 7.

A film flattening rib 71 projects from the interior wall 58 of thecassette half 9 in the vicinity of the inner entrance to the filmpassageway 25 and the stripper-guide 68 to support successivelongitudinal sections of the film leader 35, beginning with its leadingend 37, substantially flat widthwise as those sections are freed fromthe flanges 41 and 43, to facilitate movement of the leading end intothe passageway. See FIG. 7. The light-trapping plush 31 within the filmpassageway 25 is elevated along the passageway slightly beyond alongitudinal center line L of the passageway. The film flattening rib 71as shown in FIG. 4 projects almost to the center line L in order tosupport successive sections of the film leader 35 substantially flat atthe center line. Preferably, the film-supporting tip or longitudinaledge of the flattening rib 71 is spaced 0.005"-0.030" short of thecenter line L.

Two substantially parallel curved film supporting ribs 75 and 76 projectfrom the interior wall 58 of the cassette half 7 to longitudinallyextend from the film flattening rib 71 to part-way between the pair ofbearing members 69 which project from the same wall. See FIGS. 1, 3, and4. The film supporting ribs 75 and 76 longitudinally extend the entirelocation at which the film leader (outermost convolution) 35 can escapethe confinement of the flanges 41 and 43, when the leader axially flexesthe flanges away from one another. The film supporting ribs 75 and 76 asshown in FIG. 3 are positioned to be slightly spaced from the filmleader 35, when the leader is confined within the annular lips 49 and51. Another film supporting rib 77 projects from the interior wall 58 ofthe cassette half 7, opposite the stripper-guide 68. The other rib 77 issubstantially parallel to and shorter than the first-two ribs 75 and 76.All three of the ribs 75-77 longitudinally extend perpendicular to andadjoin the flattening rib 71. See FIG. 1.

When the spool core 23 is initially rotated in the film unwindingdirection U, the two flanges 41 and 43 momentarily tend to remainstationary and the film roll 33, since its inner end is attached to thespool core, will expand radially or clock-spring to force the filmleader (outermost convolution) 35 firmly against the annular lips 49 and51 of the flanges. Generally however, before the film roll 33 can beexpanded radially to the extent a non-slipping relation would be createdbetween the film leader (outermost convolution) 35 and the annular lips49 and 51 as in cited U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,834,306 and 4,848,693, thehook-like members 67 will have moved along the respective slots 66 intoengagement with the two flanges 41 and 43 to fix the flanges to thespool core. Then, further rotation of the spool core 23 will similarlyrotate the flanges 41 and 43. As a result, the leading end 37 of thefilm leader (outermost convolution) 35 will be advanced over the shorterrib 77 and the stripper-guide 68, causing successive arcuate portions ofthe flanges 41 and 43 to be flexed away from one another as shown inFIG. 11. This first allows the notch 59 to separate from the lip section51', and then it allows successive longitudinal sections of the filmleader 35 to exit from between the flanges to the outside of thecassette shell 3. Since the stripper-guide 68 initially picks up theleading end 37 of the film leader 35 close to its forward-most tip 65,the forward edge 63 of the leading end will move against the filmflattening rib 71 as shown in FIG. 6.

When the film leader 35 is thrust through the film passageway 25 to theoutside of the cassette shell 3, the passageway due to the plushmaterial 31 may present some very slight resistance to outward movementof the leader. This resistance might cause the leader 35 to further flexthe flanges 41 and 43 away from one another to, in turn, allow more ofthe leader to uncoil lengthwise from between the flanges. If the tworibs 75 and 76 were omitted from the shell half 9, the leader 35 mightuncoil against the interior wall 58 of the shell half. As a result,increased torque would be required to rotate the spool core 23 in thefilm unwinding direction U. However, the two ribs 75 and 76 serve toseverely limit the extent to which the leader 35 can uncoil from betweenthe flanges 41 and 43.

If the spool core 23 is rotated in the film winding direction W aftersome length of the filmstrip F has been advanced from the cassette shell3, the spool core is free to rotate relative to the two flanges 41 and43 because the hook-like members 67 can move along the respective slots66 out of engagement with the flanges. This permits the flanges 41 and43 to be independently rotated in the winding direction W, though at aslower speed than the spool core 23 is rotated in that direction. Eachof the hook-like members 67 may back out of one of the slots 66 and intothe next slot during continued rotation of the spool core 23 in thewinding direction W. At the same time, the filmstrip F will be rewoundonto the spool core 23 between the flanges 41 and 43.

The Film Exposure Status Indicator/Lock-Out Means Of The Film Cassette

FIGS. 1, 12 and 14 depict a film exposure status indicator/lock-outmeans 101 integrally formed with the longer open-end piece 21 of thespool core 23. Respective indicia "UNEXPOSED", "PARTIAL" and "EXPOSED"indicating that the filmstrip F is unexposed, i.e. all of the availablefilm frames are unexposed, is only partly exposed, i.e. only some of theavailable film frames are exposed, and is substantially exposed, i.e.all of the film frames are exposed, are printed on a label(s) 103adhered to the cassette half 9. See FIGS. 14 and 17. An end cap 105comprising part of the cassette shell 3 covers the indicator/lock-outmeans 101. The end cap 105 has respective circumferential indicatorwindows 107, 108 and 109 aligned with the three indicia "UNEXPOSED""PARTIAL" and "EXPOSED" and has a pair of separate lock-out windows 111and 113. The three indicator windows 107, 108 and 109 are spaced apartvia arcuate side portions 115 and 116 of the end cap 105, and the twolock-out windows 111 and 113 are spaced apart via an arcuate sideportion 117 of the end cap. The indicator/lock-out means 101 includes aperipheral arcuate indicator rib 119, a peripheral arcuate lock-out rib121 and a peripheral arcuate cut-out 123 which extends between the tworibs. The indicator rib 119 preferably has a color such as red which isdifferent than the color of the end cap 105. When the indicator/lock-outmeans 101 is rotationally oriented relative to the end cap 105 as shownin FIGS. 14, 17 and 18, it is in an unexposed/non-lock-out position inwhich the indicator rib 119 is at the indicator window 107 to indicatethe filmstrip F is unexposed and the cut-out 123 is in the lock-outwindows 111 and 113 to uncover respective cam or beveled surfaces 125and 127 formed on the cassette half 7 adjacent the lock-out windows.When the indicator/lock-out means 101 is rotationally oriented relativeto the end cap 105 as shown in FIG. 15, it is in a partly exposed/singlelock-out position in which the indicator rib 119 is at the indicatorwindow 108 to indicate the filmstrip F is partly exposed, the lock-outrib 121 is in the lock-out window 113 to cover the cam surface 127 andthe cut-out 123 is in the lock-out window 111 to uncover the cam surface125 and is at the indicator window 107. When the indicator/lock-outmeans 101 is rotationally oriented relative to the end cap 105 as shownin FIG. 16, it is in a fully exposed/double lock-out position in whichthe indicator rib 119 is at the indicator window 109 to indicate thefilmstrip F is substantially exposed, the lock-out rib 121 is in thelock-out windows 111 and 113 to cover the cam surfaces 125 and 127 andthe cut-out 123 is at the indicator windows 107 and 108.

The end cap 105 has a central opening 129 aligned with the longeropen-end piece 21 of the spool core 23, and a radial slot 131 in which alocking member 133 is supported for movement in opposite directionsbetween a locking position for engaging the longer open-end piece at anyone of three radial notches or detents 135, 137 and 139 formed in thelonger open-end piece and a non-locking position separated from thenotches to thereby disengage the longer open-end piece. See FIGS. 1 and14-17. When the indicator/lock-out means 101 is in itsunexposed/non-lock-out position as shown in FIG. 14, the locking member133 engages the longer open-end piece 21 at the radial notch 135. Whenthe indicator/lock-out means 101 is in its partly exposed/singlelock-out position as shown in FIG. 15, the locking member 133 engagesthe longer open-end piece 21 at the radial notch 137. When the indicatorlock-out means 101 is in its fully exposed/double lock-out position asshown in FIG. 16, the locking member 133 engages the longer open-endpiece 21 at the radial notch 139. Thus, the spool core 23 can berotationally arrested with the indicator/lock-out means 101 in any oneof the unexposed, partly exposed and fully exposed positions.

The radial slot 131 of the end cap 105 has a pair of opposite inward andoutward openings 141 and 143, a first (141) of which opens to theinterior of the cassette shell 3 and a second (143) of which opens tothe exterior of the shell. The locking member 133 has a pair of oppositeends 145 and 147, a first (145) of which protrudes from the firstopening 141 to engage any one of the three radial detents 135, 137 and139 when the locking member is in the locking position and a second(147) of which protrudes from the second opening 143 when the lockingmember is in the non-locking position to permit it to be pushed furtherinto the radial slot 131 to move the locking member to the lockingposition. The radial slot 131 and the locking member 133 are relativelydimensioned to permit only the one end 145 to protrude from the inwardopening 141 when the locking member is in the locking position and topermit only the other end 147 to protrude from the outward opening 143when the locking member is in the non-locking position.

Cooperating or securement means are formed on the end cap 105 at theradial slot 131 and on the locking member 133 for fixing the end cap andthe locking member to each other when the locking member is in thelocking and non-locking positions to prevent its movement between thetwo positions and are releasable when the locking member is in thelocking and non-locking positions to permit its movement between the twopositions. Specifically, first and second pairs 149, 151 and 153, 155 ofrecesses in the end cap 105 open to the radial slot 131, and a pair ofresiliently flexible tabs 157, 159 of the locking member 133 arenormally or inherently biased to move into the first pair of recesseswhen the locking member is in the locking position and to move into thesecond pair of recesses when the locking member is in the non-lockingposition. The first and second pairs of recesses 149, 151 and 153, 155each include an inclined edge 161 that operates as a cam edge to flexthe tabs 157, 159 out of the respective recesses, i.e. toward eachother, responsive to movement of the locking member out of the lockingand non-locking positions. See FIGS. 14, 14A, 15 and 16. A centralopening 163 in the locking member 133 provides a void which facilitatesflexing of the tabs 157, 159 towards each other. The central opening 163is located beneath an access opening 165 in the end cap 105 when thelocking member 133 is in the locking position to permit the lockingmember to be engaged through the access opening at the central openingto move the locking member to the non-locking position. See FIGS. 1 and17.

The Film Information Disk Of The Film Cassette

A film information disk 167 is coaxially fixed to the shorter end piece19 of the spool core 23. See FIGS. 1, 2 and 12. The information disk 167has an annular array of optically readable information comprising a barcode 169 consisting essentially of a series of radially arrangedphotoreflective and non-reflective bits. Details of the bar code and itsrelation to the indicator/lock-out means 101 are disclosed in commonlyassigned copending application Ser. No. 07/560,921, filed July 31, 1990.

Camera Apparatus

Camera apparatus 201 is shown in FIG. 17 for use with theindicator/lock-out means 101 of the film cassette 1. The cameraapparatus 201 includes a camera body portion 203 having a loadingchamber 205 with an entry opening 207 for receiving the film cassette 1endwise into the chamber. A conventional spindle 208 extends into thebottom of the loading chamber 203 for receipt in the central opening 129of the end cap 105 to engage and rotatably support the spool core 23. Acam pin 209 is located at the bottom of the loading chamber 20 forreceipt through the access opening 165 in the end cap 105 into thecentral opening 163 in the locking member 133 to move the locking memberautomatically from its locking position shown in FIG. 18 to itsnon-locking position shown in FIG. 19. Thus, the indicator/lock-outmeans 101 (and the spool core 23) will be permitted to rotate in thewinding direction W from the unexposed position shown in FIG. 14 to thepartly exposed position shown in FIG. 15 and from the partly exposedposition to the fully exposed position shown in FIG. 16.

A sensing/blocking member 211 located within a slot 213 opening to theloading chamber 205 is urged by a helical compression spring 215 topivot clockwise in FIG. 17 about a support pin 217 until a hook-like end219 of the sensing/blocking member protrudes into the loading chamber.In this normal position, the sensing/blocking member 211 is disposed tolocate its hook-like end 219 for abutment with the cam surface 125 ofthe cassette half 7 when the cut-out 123 is in the lock-out window 111or with the lock-out rib 121 when the rib is in the lock-out window. SeeFIGS. 18-20. If the film cassette 1 is initially inserted into theloading chamber 205, with the indicator/lock-out means 101 in itsunexposed or partly exposed position as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, thecam surface 125 is not covered by the lock-out rib 121 and will contactthe hook-like end 219 of the sensing/blocking member 211 to cam or pivotthe latter member out of the way of the cam surface to allow the filmcassette to be further inserted into the loading chamber. See FIGS. 18and 19. However, should the film cassette 1 be initially inserted intothe loading chamber 205, with the indicator/lock-out means 101 in itsfully exposed position as shown in FIG. 16, the lock-out rib 121 willcover the cam surface 125 and be caught by the hook-like end 219 of thesensing/blocking member 211 to prevent further insertion of the filmcassette into the loading chamber. See FIG. 20. Thus, camera apparatuswith the sensing/blocking member 211 is intended to receive the filmcassette 1 with fresh unexposed or partly exposed film.

An alternate embodiment of the sensing/blocking member 211 is shown inFIG. 17. In this embodiment, the reference numbers 211', 213', and 219'correspond to the reference numbers 211, 213 and 219. If the filmcassette 1 is initially inserted into the loading chamber 205, with theindicator/lock-out means 101 in its unexposed position as shown in FIG.14, the cam surface 127 of the cassette half 7 is not covered by thelock-out rib 121 and will contact the hook-like end 219' of thesensing/blocking member 211' to cam or pivot the latter member out ofthe way of the cam surface to allow the film cassette to be furtherinserted into the loading chamber. However, should the film cassette 1be initially inserted into the loading chamber 205, with theindicator/lock-out means 101 in its partly exposed or fully exposedposition as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the lock-out rib 121 will coverthe cam surface 127 and be caught by the hook-like end 219' of thesensing/blocking member 211' to prevent further insertion of the filmcassette into the loading chamber. Thus, camera apparatus with thesensing/blocking member 211' is intended to receive the film cassette 1only with fresh unexposed film.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, a leaf spring 221 connected to the insideof the loading chamber 205 proximate the cam pin 209 is in-ended to pushagainst the end 147 of the locking member 133 when the film cassette 1is initially withdrawn from the chamber. The leaf spring 221 moves thelocking member 133 from its non-locking position to its locking positionbefore the spool core 23 can be separated from the spindle 208.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations andmodifications can be effected within the ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope of the invention. For example, thelabel 103 with the indicia "UNEXPOSED" and the corresponding indicatorwindow 107 could be omitted. A visible indication that the filmstrip Fis unexposed would still be provided since, in this instance, theindicator rib 119 would not be at either one of the other indicatorwindows 108 and 109.

I claim:
 1. A film cassette comprising a film spool supported inside alighttight shell for rotation to thrust a filmstrip coiled about saidspool automatically to the exterior of said shell, and a film exposurestatus indicator supported for rotation relative to said shell from anunexposed position for providing a visible indication that saidfilmstrip is unexposed to an exposed position for providing a visibleindication that the filmstrip is exposed, is characterized in that:saidstatus indicator includes lock-out means arranged for engagement by ablocking member in a camera to prevent insertion of said cassette intothe camera, when said status indicator is in the exposed position, and acut-out located with respect to said lock-out means for receiving theblocking member to allow insertion of the film cassette into the camera,when the status indicator is in the unexposed position; and said shellincludes cam means aligned with said cut-out for moving the blockingmember out of the way of said cassette, when said status indicator isthe unexposed position, and covered by said lock-out means to beprevented from moving the blocking member out of the way of thecassette, when the status indicator is in the exposed position.
 2. Afilm cassette as recited in claim 1, wherein said shell includeswindow-like means located adjacent said cam means for revealing saidlock-out means to cover the cam means, when said status indicator is inthe exposed position, and for revealing said cut-out means to uncoverthe cam means, when the status indicator is in the unexposed position.